2016-17 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
It is my pleasure to present the President’s report for season 2016-17.
- First, I would like to thank all Board members for the work and the commitment that they have shown throughout, what has been, a very busy year.
- In particular, thanks to Vice-President, Chris Flanagan, for her supportand to our very efficient and hard-working Treasurer and Bar Manager, Jan Widdop. Both Chris and Jan spend hours working at the club and their efforts are very much appreciated.
- Once again, it was our secretary John Ross, and the vast amount of work that he does, that has hadthe major impact on the smooth day-to-day operation of the club. Thanks John forall your hard work and for the efficient and effective way you operate.
We have many members who do a tremendous amount of volunteer work that is just so important to the success of the club.
- Thank-you to Chris Flanagan and her catering team. Catering is a most significant part of this club’s operation and contributes greatly to the positive reputation the club enjoys.
- The quality of our greens is also forms a major part of this club’s reputation. Thanks to Colin Malcolm and John Crossman, and to their team of helpers, for consistently producing excellent greens for us to play on. As testament to their efforts we have hosted two group matches and numerous finals this year. Thanks also to Peter Nesbitt and Keith Mills for their work mowing around the clubhouse and greens.
- Once again we conducted another most successful Annual Tournament. A big thank-you to our long-serving Tournament Director, Marg Humpry, and her new “partner in crime”, Jan Fisher. The tournament always runs smoothly and any last minute issues seem to be resolved calmly and effectively. These guys really “know their stuff”. Thank-you to also all those who assisted, in any way, throughout the week. It is a busy, family time of the year but there always seemed to be plenty of willing members stepping in to contribute in any way they could.
- We had a most successful season of Business House bowls with four more teams playing this year. Thank-you to all those who helped in the recruitment of teams, in the kitchen, behind the bar, cooking the BBQ and selling the raffle tickets. A special thank-you to chief organiser, Chris Langdon. It was also terrific to see Graeme Goudie back giving some advice to Chris on how to become a successful “rigger of draws”!
- Thanks also to our auditor, Graeme, and web-site administrator, Noel for all their work.
- Thanks also towelfare officers Estelle and Ayleanand to those club members who undertook representative tasks as delegates to the Ovens & Murray Region and the 60 and over competition.
There seems to be many people thank for their work around the club and I am really pleased to able to acknowledge their efforts as it shows what a great little club we have and highlights the terrific support we get from a significant number of our members. It is a very healthy sign, but we need to guard against too much being left to too few or our current group of hard working volunteers will “burnt out”.
This year the Board has approved a number of major projects that have modernised and enhanced the appearance of the club. We have received really positive feedback, from both membersand visitors alike, on these improvements.Whilst it is easy to congratulate the current Board, recognition also needs to be given to the efforts of previous administrations that left us in a strong financial position and, therefore, enabled us to undertake these works.
- I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Noel Murrell and Doug Gammon for all the work they have done on the new seating, fencing and BBQ area. They have been well supported by a number of members and it has been a great team that has achieved so much. It seems they have not finished yet! I would also like to publicly acknowledge and thank the anonymous donor of outdoor tables and chairs for the new BBQ area. What a terrific gift to the club.
I believe that we have had a very good year of pennant bowls. Three of our five pennant teams made finals and the B2 weekend team was in with a chance right up to the last round. The Tuesday Division 1 team finish on top of the ladder after the home and away season, and although we did not win a final, that shouldn’tdiminish what was a most successful season of pennant bowls for the mid-week teams. The Saturday A1 team did much better than simply avoided relegation. A stirring last round win against last year’s premiers Benalla at Benalla set up a semi-final showdown with Wodonga. After a great win we then went down to eventual premiers Corowa Civic for a very creditable 3rd place finish. The A3 team also made the finals and won their semi-final before losing a preliminary final to also finish 3rd. I would like to thank all those members of the two selection panels and the match committee for all the work they have done this year in, what are often, very difficult and thankless positions.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who won club events and, in particular, our two club champions – Claire Megarrity and Chris Langdon.Claire and Chris were also selected in O&M Group sides this year along with Jan Fisher and KliveLiverton. Congratulations to these members who I am sure represented the Club with distinction.
Our sponsors are really important to us and we appreciate and thank them for the contribution that theyamake to the financial stability of our club. It is important that we support them with our business where possible. Whilst I acknowledge all our sponsors, I would really like to thank Dean Goudie and Yarrawonga Caravans for coming on board and becoming our major sponsors for the next three year. Sponsorships of this size and scope have a massive impact on small clubs like ours and we really appreciate their contribution, not only to our bottom line, but to our new look uniforms.
This year we have completed a Strategic Plan with the assistance of the Bowls Vic Regional Development Officer, Josh Thornton. This plan establishes goals and key performance criteria in a range of areas that include –
- Buildings and surrounds
- Sponsorship
- Participation
- Membership.
It has highlighted a number of quite pressing issues that need our urgent attention. In the future, Board members will need to be more than just Board members. They will need to accept a portfolio to lead and establish initiatives in the above four areas.
Finally, I would like to thank the new “Princess Panda” - our chief raffle ticket seller, Angela. As you are all well aware, she stoically puts up with a lot but is very supportive and want to publicly thank her for that support.
Ross Rankin
President